Violence Against Women: Vigil at Leinster House

Members of Women's Aid yesterday observed a minute's silence outside Leinster House, Dublin, in support of International Day Against Violence Against Women.

More than 20 women, dressed in black, stood beside a giant in-memoriam card and were surrounded by 107 peace lilies and a candle to highlight the number of women murdered in Ireland in the last 108 months.

It is hoped the vigil will highlight the need for increased Government involvement in providing adequate resources and protection for women experiencing domestic violence.

It was the first of 16 days of the Action Against Violence Against Women campaign, which ends on International Human Rights Day.

The director of Women's Aid, Ms Margaret Martin, said that more than 80 per cent of victims had been murdered by a man known to them and almost half by a current or former partner.